St. Mary’s men’s tennis junior captain Kyle Van Winter grew up in a family of tennis players and Redskins fans. An economics major, Van Winter would love to pick the brain of some of the most successful business people of all time, including Warren Buffet. Van Winter and the Seahawks are currently 3-3 in the 2016-17 campaign. INTRODUCING … Kyle Van Winter.

Briefly, what is your background in the sport you play?

I have been playing tennis pretty much my entire life as both my parents and my siblings all played tennis. So, I was kind of born into it.

What is your major in college, and what is the most important thing you learned in that discipline?

I major in economics and through the classes I began to learn why the government does certain things as it comes to monetary and fiscal policies.

What is your favorite spot on campus?

I think most St. Mary’s college students will have a very similar response to this question and that is the docks. The docks are on the St. Mary’s river and on any nice spring afternoon you will see students from all different backgrounds at the docks hanging out and enjoying the beautiful scenery.

Outside of your home and campus, where is your favorite place visit?

My childhood best friend, Stephen’s, house. It just brings me back to times when we were younger and the world was a simpler place.

Other than your team, what organization (s) do you participate in (on campus or off campus)?

I am a member of the Student Athletic Advisory Committee (SAAC) and I also studied abroad in Townsville, Australia last fall.

It was my freshman year and we were on our team spring break trip in Hilton Head, South Carolina. I lost the first set and was down a break in the second when the older guys on the team started to get loud and cheer me on, which fired me up and I came back and won. It showed me that I was a full member of the team and the older guys had my back.

Other than your family members, who was the most influential person in your life?

One of the most influential people in my life was my middle school basketball coach, who cut me from the team when I was in 7th grade. It was the first time I didn’t make a sports team and it showed me that if I want things I need to work for them.

What is the most important societal issue facing college students?

I think the most important societal issue is domestic abuse. We recently held an athletics-wide convention with the One Love Foundation, which tries to increase awareness for such issues. So this meeting really opened my eyes to what a big issue it is.

If you could change any one item in the world (in your personal life, school, community, amateur or professional sports, national/international issue, etc.), what would it be, why, and how would you do it?

I would add some nice indoor tennis courts here on campus. It would be very nice to be able to practice when it is cold or rainy.

What is your favorite form of entertainment?

I really enjoy watching sports on TV. There is nothing better then sitting back and watching some basketball, baseball, or football after a long day of practice.

If you could give one piece of advice to elementary school children, what would that advice be?

Roll with punches. In life sometimes bad things happen to you but you need to fight through these bad things in order to get to the good times.

Outside of the CAC, who or what is your favorite sports person or team?

I am a fan of the Washington Redskins because both of my parents are from DC area and are huge Redskins fans.

Name three (3) people, real or fictional, living or dead, that you'd like to have dinner with?

Roger Federer, Johnny Manziel, and Warren Bufffet. Roger, simply because he is the greatest tennis player ever and represents everything you would want in a champion on and off the court. Johnny Manziel because he had one of the most meteoric rise and falls of any athlete and also because he would be an entertaining person. And finally, Warren Buffet, because as an economics major I want to have a future in business and he is one of the most successful businessmen of all time. I would love to pick his brain.